SPACE X

After Apollo: SpaceX successfully launched The Crew Dragon spacecraft with live people 

Today, at 22 hours and 23 minutes Moscow time, SpaceX successfully launched The Crew Dragon spacecraft on the ISS using the Falcon 9 launch vehicle. Inside the capsule there are two American astronauts. This is the first sending of astronauts inside an American rocket in the last decade, and not on the Russian Soyuz.
The Falcon 9 rocket successfully overcame the sound barrier, after which the first stage was separated. She sat safely on the platform Of Of I Still Love you. Soon there was a separation of the second stage and two astronauts were in low Earth orbit.
According to the SpaceX Demo-2 Mission Plan, The Crew Dragon probe will reach the International Space Station approximately 19 hours after launch. After approaching the station, the ship will try to dock with it in automatic mode. If difficulties arise, the crew will take control. In mid-May, SpaceX suggested that Internet users try to dock the Dragon crew ship with the ISS in a simulator that can be started in a browser.
Inside the ship there are two astronauts in SpaceX brand spacesuits. Former test pilot Bob Behnken began his career at NASA in 2000 and managed to enter space twice. During each mission, he completed 3 EVAs and spent a total of 37 hours there. Benken is responsible for interacting with the flight control center and will dock and disengage the navio.Na ISS, astronauts will be welcomed by the participants of the 63rd expedition: Chris Cassidy, Anatoly Ivanishin and Ivan Wagner. Two new astronauts are expected to orbit for one to four months. The duration of the stay depends on the conditions of the ship-if all systems work correctly, the mission will be long. At the end of the mission, the ship disengages from the station and returns to Earth. 

The two astronauts inside the capsule

It is expected that the landing will be made in the Atlantic Ocean, from where the astronauts will be taken by the SpaceX go Navigator.
The mission of SpaceX Demo - 2 is considered historic for two reasons. First, this is the first flight of astronauts on an American ship in the last decade. Secondly, it is the first time in history that NASA entrusts the launch of people into the space of a private company. The current release was the second launch attempt – the first was scheduled for May 27, but was canceled due to bad weather.
After the successful completion of the mission, the NASA Space Agency certifies the Falcon 9 rocket and The Crew Dragon spacecraft for manned space flights. Thus, the United States will no longer depend on the Russian launch vehicles Soyuz-FG and Soyuz-2.1 A, each of which costs at least $35 million. The launch of the Falcon 9 rocket with The Ship Crew Dragon costs about $62 million, but they can raise loads of up to 25 tons, while the carrying capacity of Russian vehicles is 8 tons.

AVnews/mundophone